NOTE: July, 27, 1855

Dear Sons,
I got your dear and welcome letter and was glad to hear that you were all well and in good health, which is a great blessing. I am glad to hear that you're coming along so well and in the way of making money. It gives me much pleasure to know that you are happy for I am far from being so. I am depressed with care and grief and a greater burden than I can bear. What is to come of me, I know not. Mary must learn some trade for I know that I will not be long with her and you know that there is no one to look after her, for I am falling down fast. So my dear Sons, if you can send what you can spare I would be thankful for it, for Hugh, I have put by a very poor 15 months since I left my old house. But dear sons, I am sorry to complain, for Hugh, I can make for myself 'til now and you know that Martha (Born in 1826, Ayshire, Kilmarnock) and her son (James Dalziel, Martha was a widow) is a heavy burden and no word from Dl (Dalziel? ) This is a hard case I am born down with Sorrow, and it is time that I had some happy days. Now, dear Hugh, you say come out to you and you will come for me. But, my dear son, it would take a great deal to come and then you run the danger of the sea, for I could not stand it two days for my cough and spirit is very bad, and I can stand anything if you and Barclay could send a little to help me. God would reward you for dear, Hugh, when I had it I tried to keep you comfortable, so my dear sons, do what you can and your stars will be none the less, and when you send it let it be in my name for cases that you may get to your mother and none else but her.

For you may know how unpleased you know somebody in the old now, Dear Hugh, be so good as to write and tell me all about Barclay, for I think the is something wrong. How is it that he will not write to me? Tell me if you and he are agreeable and tell me, Hugh, if you are. I am forever unhappy. Be kind to one another and God will bless you. Time hear is but short and live as you would wish to die, aside God to guide you, and you will not seek in men. Tell Barclay that he grieves me much for not writing to me. If he is fallen into gambling or is he looking after the Lasses, or what is wrong that he has forgotten his mother. What the matter is, I cannot tell but dear, Hugh, do tell me and I will be content. Tell me if you and Barclay are in partnership or not, and if you live all in one house or not, for you never told me. And tell me if you are happy for I would like to know. There must be something that I have said that Barclay is offended. But I know not what it can be. Tell him not to let the sun go down upon his wrath for we are told in the Bible not to do so. My dear sons, it is my earnest prayer night and day that you may be spared and all be happy and prosper, and loving one to another. Now be sure and tell me all, and for God sake, write when you get this, for it is all the comfort I have. When your letter comes, I am glad to hear you are coming on so well at farming, for it is a far happier life then what you could try, and you get so much strife in you. Must have a great deal of ground. It gives me much pleasure to know that your family is stat(?) and healthy, and I hope the will be long spared to you both. And be happy in them. Bring them up in the fear of God and set a good example before them and God will bless them.

Now I say go and write when you get this and tell me all about Barclay, and how he is doing. For am sorry that he has forgotten me, when I take out his letters and looks over them he did not write to forget me. But has been a long time since he sent me a letter. I am very anxious to know the result for surely there is something wrong or my wee son would never forget me. Hugh, give him some good advice, and warn him against bad company, for he is young yet. But, God forbid, that my dear son would fall back after so long to struggle, and so much that he has come through. God be with my dear sons, and keep them from every end and I hope that God will hear my prayer for you all now. My dear sons, write when you get this and try to keep up my spirits, for they are very low and God will bless you and your family. I must thank you and Mrs. Muir for your kind offer that you both made to come to you. But, my son, my health would not stand two days for I am far through. But do as you said, and it will help me in my declining years for there is none to help hear. Now I can say no more, but all hear is listen for there is not a man, but all is soldiers for the war. All things is dear and trade is bad and all is dark look out now. I must tell you, I hear that Gregory and Barclay's Dad died of cholera Both in two hours, and old Andres they are all gone. Before this, Aunt Chalmers is well and in good health. My Marey (born in 1841) is growing very tall. She is as big as me.

Now my dear sons, write and let me all the news and tell me all about my wee son and tell him to write one letter to me and I will be happy if he is well. Dear Sons, this morning a man called on me and said he was a mate of a ship and he sad he had it small box from you to me and two letters and a small bit of gold from you to me. It was at 10:00 at night on Saturday and it was in his chest with his clothes and told me to come to Greenock on Monday and I would get it, but when I went he gave me the wrong address and I never found out the street nor ..for there was not a street in Greenock of the name. I left on the morning and I came at 9:00 at night and never saw. Poor and came home with it . So never saw the man more. our love to you and dear Barclay and Mrs. Muir and your dear boy and girl and God bless you all in my daily prayers.

Margaret Muir (would a mother sign her name as "Mother" or Margaret?)

I got your letter the 20th of July